1. GO #8
Law Making
Steps in the Law making process
Officials who are elected to serve in the national
legislature _make laws_. National laws are made by
__Congress__.
Step
1
Introduce
a
bill
by
a
Senator
or
Representa5ve
Elected officials in Congress write laws and take
Step
2
Working
in
action in response to __problems_ or _issues_.
commitees
Ways the executive branch influences policymaking.
Step
3
Deba5ng
the
bill
on
the
floor
of
each
house
• Proposing legislation in an annual speech to
Congress (State of the Union Address)
• Appealing directly to the people
• Approving or vetoing legislation
• Appointing officials who carry out the laws
Step
4
Vo5ng
on
the
bill
in
each
house
Step
5
Sending
the
bill
to
the
president
to
sign
into
law

2. The Media informs policy makers and influence public policy.
Ways media play an important role in setting public agenda
• Focusing public attention on selected issues
• Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated
• Holding government officials accountable to the public
Government officials use the media to communicate with the _public__.
Seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or
against a bill
Individuals and interests groups influence public policy.
Individuals Interest Groups
• Participate in politics (voting, • Identifying issues
campaigning, seeking office) • Making political contributions
• Expressing opinions (lobbying, • Lobbying government officials
•
Demonstrating, writing letters)
• Joining interests groups
International issues and event that would require policy decisions by local
government officials could include the following
• Public Health concerns in the event of a pandemic
• Public Safety in the event of an act of terrorism
• Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy
• Policies to protect the environment (e.g., wildlife protections)